2021 Midlands Preview 149 Lbs

 

I think that this is a very wide open weight class that could be won by a variable of wrestlers, but tier one as far as I'm concerned is Iowa's Max Murin and Northwestern's Yahya Thomas.  Murin has made the finals the past two tournaments in a row, having taken runner-up honors in 19' & having won a title in 20'.  Thomas on the other hand has been a role since last year's NCAA tournament where he took 3rd.  While both are susceptible to being upset, this is the finals I think we have the highest probability of seeing. 

Albeit, some horses are darker than others but I can make a case for each one of these guys. 

From left to right....

When on, Legend Lamer of Cal Poly is tough to beat. He has two wins over All American Jaden Abas of Stanford including one by technical fall. Putting together 4-5 matches in a row to win a Midlands title may be a bit of a stretch, but it isn't out of the realms of possibility. 

I'll make a better case for Josh Heil of Campbell. The Camel lost what many feel was the most controversial match of the 2021 NCAA tournament.  Ever since then he's had a chip on his shoulder and something to prove.  He was Murin's finals opponent in the last Midlands, taking the Hawkeye to a 5-3 decision. 

Kanen Storr of Michigan?  He's never faced Murin, but he already owns a 4-3 tiebreaker over Thomas. 

Anthony Artalona of Pennsylvania is a lot like Lamer, when on, tough to beat. An EIWA champion, I wouldn't put making the finals or even winning a Midlands title past him. 

Wisconsin's Austin Gomez's resume sorta speaks for itself. He has a ton of huge wins at 133 lbs & recently he defeated North Carolina All American Zach Sherman by a convincing 9-4 decision.  I wouldn't ever count the Badge out of a match. 

If he ever wrestles again, Mike Carr of Illinois owns victories over both Murin and Thomas.  

And lastly, yeah, I'll make a case for Iowa's Vince Turk. It's like the world up and forgot about this talented kid. Put him on a shelf and forgot about him. I can picture him coming into Midlands like Judge Doom from WHO FRAMED ROGER RABBIT storming his way through the quarterfinals upset after upset saying, "Remember me!?!??!" He was 4th at the last Midlands, and he has a variety of impressive wins including a 3-1 sudden victory over Storr. 

I've already named 9 wrestlers.  Are there other place-winner contenders? Yep.  Army's P.J. Ogunsanya is a tough wrestler. Rutgers Mike Van Brill only has two settings. Off and maximum volume. As he proved at last year's BIG 10's with victories over both Murin & Storr in route to a 3rd place finish, when he's in a mood to wrestle, look out.  He's currently 9-0 on the season. 


Others that I wouldn't count out...

Jarod Verkleeren of Virginia 
Alec Hagan of Ohio who was 8th at the Midlands in 2020
Graham Rooks of Indiana 
Christian Kanzler of Illinois who has been a phenomenal fill in for Carr thus far this year 
Marcus Robinson of Cleveland State
Corbyn Munson Central Michigan